My Contract Husband Won't Behave - Chapter 68

Bo Jiusi ignored her.

“Master Jiu, I have to remind you of something very seriously. As long as we’re married, you’re supposed to uphold the ‘three obediences and four virtues’ like a proper husband. Don’t think you can do whatever you want just because you’re rich. I have plenty of admirers too. Until I cheat, you’re not allowed to cheat either…”

“Don’t worry. I don’t have as many lovers as you do.”

Nie Jingzhi choked. She had lots of lovers?

“Excuse me? I’m a very virtuous woman.”

Bo Jiusi paused midway through getting dressed and gave an amused little scoff.

The barely audible laugh reached her through the phone, and she laughed too. “Fine. I won’t keep you from meeting your young lady. Just give me the code to your place. I’ll let myself in so I won’t interrupt your business.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I’m afraid you’ll tear my house apart.”

“Why would I do that? I’m not stupid. Besides, your place costs a fortune. I couldn’t afford to pay for it.”

He already thought he indulged her far too much. On this, he would not give in. Give her his door code and let her come and go whenever she pleased? What right did she have?

When coaxing failed, Nie Jingzhi resorted to threats. “Are you giving it to me or not? If you don’t, I’ll squat outside your door until you come back.”

He was silent for two seconds. “091127.”

She turned the digits over in her mind. “Your birthday?”

“Don’t make wild guesses.”

“It’s on our marriage certificate.” She laughed. “My birthday is November twenty-seventh.”

“…”

They had the same birthday?

“But Master Jiu, you’re two years older than me. A whole two years. So you have to humor me.”

“Are you three?” he scoffed. “I’m hanging up if that’s all.”

He still had something important to do. Humoring her nonsense this long was already more than indulgent.

“Fine, fine. I’ll stop teasing you. I’ll come over at noon. Don’t stand me up, or I’ll change your code.”

“Try it.”

“You just watch me.”

He hung up without answering. Nie Jingzhi stared at the words *Call Ended*, delighted. She hopped out of bed, humming as she went to change.

Bo Jiusi stood before the mirror and finished knotting his tie.

Today, he was going to see his mother.

It had been eighteen years. She had been taken away when he was ten, and every year since, all he had received was a single video recording. Through a screen, he had watched her grow thinner year after year.

He had not told Nie Jingzhi. He did not want her to know about the Bo family’s filth.

His phone screen was still lit, her name at the top of the call log. He glanced at it, slipped the phone into his pocket, took his coat, and left.

Nie Jingzhi left home with her bag and walked to the intersection, ready to call a car to the supermarket.

A white van suddenly stopped in front of her.

Before she could react, the door slid open. Two hands shot out—one clamped over her mouth, the other locked around her waist—and dragged her inside.

The door slammed shut. The van roared away.

She struggled, but someone forced her shoulders down and pressed her face into the seat. Leather, gasoline, and an unidentifiable rotten stench filled her nose.

“Don’t move,” a rough voice said over her head. “Behave and you won’t get hurt.”

Her heart hammered, but she stopped struggling. One thought consumed her: the baby. She had to protect the baby.

She forced herself to calm down. The man had said they would not hurt her. Were they taking her hostage? To threaten whom?

Bo Jiusi?

That had to be it. But her bag—and the phone inside it—had fallen during the struggle. Tape bound her wrists and sealed her mouth. She could do nothing but stay calm, protect herself and the baby, and wait for Bo Jiusi to save her.

The van bounced along for what felt like forever before stopping roughly twenty minutes later. They dragged her out and shoved her into a pitch-black factory reeking of rust and dust. They tied her to a battered chair.

A coarse hand closed around her throat.

“Sit still. Try anything, and I’ll cut off one of your fingers and mail it to your husband!”

***

Bo Jiusi’s car had been on the overpass for less than ten minutes when his phone rang. Unknown number.

He frowned and answered.

“Master Jiu.” The hoarse voice held tightly leashed hatred. “Your wife is in my hands.”

“Pang Kun.” His voice stayed calm, but from the passenger seat, Feng Wu saw his eyes turn dark.

“I’m honored you remember me. Want to hear your wife’s voice?”

After a beat of silence came Nie Jingzhi’s muffled cry, as though someone had covered her mouth.

Bo Jiusi’s grip tightened on the phone. “What do you want?”

“Two hundred million in cash for your wife and child. Come alone. No backup. The abandoned industrial zone outside the city—I’ll text you the address.”

Bo Jiusi said nothing, his face turning glacial.

“If you don’t come, I’ll kill them both,” Pang Kun said coldly. “Call the police, and she dies. Think carefully.”

The call ended. Bo Jiusi leaned back, closed his eyes, and drew a heavy breath.

The car sped toward Mount Wansui. Old Master Bo had arranged for his mother to be there and allowed him one hour with her. If he missed today, who knew how long he would have to wait again?

He checked his watch. There was no time. He had to see his mother. As for Nie Jingzhi… Pang Kun wanted money. He would not truly hurt her.

Bo Jiusi locked his phone, tossed it onto the seat, and pinched the bridge of his nose.

The phone vibrated. A photograph appeared, catching his eye.

Nie Jingzhi was bound to a broken chair, tape around her mouth, hair disheveled. Her eyes were red as she stared straight at the camera. The angle was awkward and the light dim, but the knife at her throat was clearly visible, its point pressing a shallow dent into her skin.

Fury flared in Bo Jiusi’s pitch-black eyes. His fingers clenched until his knuckles whitened.

Pang Kun’s message followed: *Come alone. Bring anyone and I’ll slash open her belly and ruin her face!*

Darkness gathered in Bo Jiusi’s gaze. He tried to ignore it, tried to act as if he had never seen it and continue to his mother.

But something tore at his heart.

If his mother knew his wife and child were in danger, would she call him a bastard?

He had heard that insult countless times as a child. It did not matter. It did not matter… He only wanted to see her once. Just seeing her would be enough.

Suddenly unable to breathe, he lowered the window, desperate for air. The car drew closer and closer to Mount Wansui. Just as they neared its foot, he spoke.

“Feng Wu. Turn around.”

Feng Wu froze. “What happened, Master Jiu?”

Bo Jiusi’s face was nearly white. “Nie Jingzhi has been kidnapped.”

Feng Wu’s expression changed. “But Master Jiu, Madam Liang—”

“I said turn around!” Bo Jiusi roared.